
Coi,. AND BvT. Maj. Gen'l Luther S. Trowbridge 



Prepared at the request of the Adjutant- 
General of Michigan 



A Brief History 

of the 

Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

By General L. S. Trowbridge 

Late Colonel of the Regiment 



Together with half-to7ies of the photographs of 
all its Officers, front its organization to its 
muster out, and a map showing the 
theater of its active operations. 



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1 BOS. 

Friesema Bros. Printing Co. 
detroit, mich. 



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To My Comrades of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry : 

I think a word of explanation is due. In consenting to 
prepare this history for the Adjutant General, I did not 
fully appreciate the limitations that were imposed. The 
space to which I was limited necessarily prevented giving 
to many matters the importance which they really de- 
served, while much of the details and many of the minor 
matters had to be omitted altogether. 

I thought a map would be of interest, but I could find 
none published that was available, and I was therefore 
put to the necessity of having one made. Thanks to the 
generous ofifer of my friend, Mr. F. C. Leeseman, late an 
officer of the German Army, now residing in this city, 
who volunteered to do the work under my direction, I 
am able to present a map which shows accurately the ac- 
tive operations of the regiment, except in West Tennes- 
see in the fall of 1865. To have extended it so as to em- 
brace that territory would have made it too large, and as 
the service there was after the war was over, it was 
thought to be unnecessary. In East Tennessee the coun- 
try was marched over and fought over so many times 



that it was impracticable to show each expedition by it- 
self. It is thought, however, that the names of places 
and dates of engagements in connection with the history 
will sufficiently indicate the different expeditions in which 
the regiment took part. 

The preparation of the history and the map has been a 

great pleasure to me, and my chief regret is that more 

full and ample notice could not have been given to all, 

and the many minor engagements in which they took 

part. With this parting salutation, I bid you all hail 

and farewell, 

L. S. TROWBRIDGE. 

Detroit, Mich., March 15, 1905. 



History of the 

Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

The Tenth Michigan Cavalry was organized in the sum- 
mer and fall of 1863, under authority given to the Hon. F. 
W. Kellogg, Representative in Congress, who had shown 
great zeal and efficiency in raising troops. It rendezvoused 
at Grand Rapids. All the field officers of the regiment had 
seen service in other regiments — the Colonel and Junior Ma- 
jor in the Sixth Michigan Cavalry; the Lieutenant-Colonel 
in the Fifth Michigan Cavalry; the Senior Major in the 
Third Michigan Infantry, where he had won merited dis- 
tinction in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, in 
the latter of which he was seriously wounded while serving 
on the staff of General De Trobriand ; the Second Major in 
the Third Michigan Cavalry, where he distinguished him- 
self by the capture of a large band of troublesome guerillas 
in Western Tennessee. 

The full organization of the regiment was as follows : 
Colonel Thaddeus Foote, Grand Rapids. Lieutenant Col- 
onel Luther S. Trowbridge, Detroit. Senior Major, Israel 
C. Smith, Grand Rapids. Second Major, Cicero Newell, 
Ypsilanti. Junior Major, Wesley Armstrong, Lapeer. Ad- 
jutant, Charles E. Soule, Muir. Quartermaster, Oliver N. 
Taylor, Grand Rapids. Commissary, Don A. Dodge, Grand 



8 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai^ry 

Rapids. Surgeon, David C. Spalding, Muir, Assistant 
Surgeon, Charles W. Leonard, Newaygo. Assistant Sur- 
geon, William D. Scott, Greenville. Chaplain, Henry Cher- 
ry, Owosso. 

Co. A. Captain, John H. Standish, Brooks. First Lieu- 
tenant, Henry W. Sears, Muskegon. Second Lieutenant 
Wallace B. Dickinson, Newaygo. 

Co. B. Captain, Rhoderick L. Bryan, Franklin. First 
Lieutenant, Adam R. Insley, Muir. Second Lieutenant, 
Samuel T. Bryan, Franklin. 

Co. C. Captain, Benjamin K. Weatherwax, Grand Rap- 
ids; First Lieutenant, Stephen V. Thomas, Elba. Second 
Lieutenant, L. Wellington Hinman, Elba. 

Co. D. Captain, Archibald Stevenson, Bay City. First 
Lieutenant, F'rederick N. Field, Grand Rapids. Second Lieu- 
tenant, William H. Dunn, Ganges. 

Co. E. Captain, Harvey E. Light, Eureka. First Lieu- 
tenant, Edwin J. Brooks, Leelanaw. Second Lieutenant, 
Robert G. Barr, Grand Rapids. 

Co. F. Captain, Chauncey F. Shepherd, Owosso, First 
Lieutenant, William E. Cummin, Corunna. Second Lieu- 
tenant, Myron A. Converse, Corunna. 

Co. G. Captain^ James B. Roberts, Ionia. First Lieuten- 
ant, Ambrose L. Soule, Lyons. Second Lieutenant, George 
W. French, Lyons. 

Co. H. Captain, Peter N. Cook, Antrim. First Lieuten- 
ant, Edgar P. Byerly, Owosso. Second Lieutenant, John 
Q. A. Cook, Antrim. 

Co. L Captain, Amos T. Ayers, Bingham. First Lieu- 
tenant, Enos B. Bailey, Bingham. Second Lieutenant, 
George M. Farnham, St. Johns. 




Capt. and Bvt. Maj. James H. Cummins 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 9 

Co. K. Captain, Andrew J. Itsell, Marion. First Lieu- 
tenant, William T. Merritt, Eaton Rapids. Second Lieu- 
tenant, William Yerrington, Muir. 

Co L. Captain, Elliott F. Covell, Grand Rapids. First 
Lieutenant, James H. Cummins, Holly. Second Lieutenant, 
Edwin A. Botsford, Fenton. 

Co. M. Captain, James L. Smith, Plainfield. First Lieu- 
tenant, B. Franklin Sherman, Virginia. Second Lieutenant, 
Jeremiah W. Boynton, Grand Rapids. 

The organization having been completed, and the ranks 
filled, the regiment was ordered to Lexington, Kentucky, 
where it arrived on the 5th of December, and there received 
its horses and camp and garrison equipage. After remain- 
ing at Lexington one week, the regiment was ordered to 
Camp Nelson, where it arrived on December 13th, and re- 
mained there until January 25th. On December 30th, Co. 
H, under command of Captain Cook, started for Knoxville 
in charge of a drove of cattle for the army in East Tennessee, 
but a superior force of the enemy relieved them of the fur- 
ther care of the cattle, and they were appropriated by the 
enemy's commissary. The stay at Camp Nelson was ex- 
ceedingly unpleasant, the weather intensely cold, and much 
sickness in camp. There were other troops there and large 
depots of supplies for the quartermaster and commissary de- 
partments, and some hospitals not well constructed for cold 
weather, as many men were reported as having frozen to 
death in them. The regiment suffered much from sickness 
and disease, and it was a great relief when orders came to 
move to Knoxville, via. Burnside Point. After a very leis- 
urely march, mostly in pleasant weather, the regiment 



10 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

reached Burnside Point February 1st. The question of sup- 
plies, especially of forage, was still a serious one at Knox- 
ville, and consequently the march to that point was not has- 
tened, and it remained at Burnside Point, protecting boats 
while collecting forage on the Cumberland river, and dis- 
charging other appropriate duties until February 39th, when 
it started for Knoxville. To all who participated in it, that 
march across the mountains will long be remembered as one 
of especial discomfort. Rain, snow, sleet and ice made the 
marching very imcomfortable for both men and horses. 
Heavy branches overloaded with snow were breaking on 
all sides. One man of Co. E was seriously injured, and had 
to be left behind at the first available stopping place, while 
the Colonel narrowly escaped injury from a large branch, 
which struck his horse. Ail discomforts, however, have an 
end some time, and as the regiment wound down the side of 
the Cumberland Mountains above Jacksboro, it presented a 
sight worthy the attention of the greatest artists. The view 
from the top of the mountains was one of rare beauty. After 
a tedious delay in crossing the Clinch River at Clinton by a 
small and inadequate ferry, Knoxville was finally reached on 
the evening of March 6th. Remained at Knoxville until the 
9th, when ordered to report to the Major General Command- 
ing at Morristown, via Strawberry Plains. At Mossy Creek 
received orders to make a reconnaissance to the mouth of 
Chucky River, thence to Springvale, if possible, thence to 
Morristown. The reconnaissance was made, and although 
no enemy was seen, it gave the men a taste of real business. 
Upon reaching Morristown, ordered to report to Colonel 
Gerrard, commanding Cavalry Division. The whole army 
fell back to Mossy Creek. One incident of the ser\'ice with 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 11 

Colonel Gerrard will be recalled with interest by all who 
participated in it. The whole division made a reconnais- 
sance to Morristown and Russellville, when the regiment, 
under the command of Lt.-Col. Trowbridge, was 
sent to Hugh Kane's to get forage. On March 23 a violent 
storm of wet snow came on, and as the snow balled greatly 
under the horses' feet the march was very hard on the horses 
and very cold and chilly for the men. When they reached 
Mr. Kane's (he was a very thorough union man) they were 
received by a most hearty welcome. Mr. Kane came out to 
welcome them, and said, "Come in. I have been looking for 
you. The day they were fighting at Bean's Station I hid a 
lot of corn in the hay mow, as I thought you would want it 
some day." "But, Mr. Kane," said the commanding officer, 
"there is one thing that we want almost more than corn. 
My men are almost frozen with this wet storm. We want 
some fires." "Oh, well," said he, "don't you see all those 
fence rails? Help yourselves, only leave those around the 
house." Then he took all the officers in and gave them such 
a dinner as they had not had before in Tennessee. Of such 
stuff were made the sturdy union men of East Tennessee. 
The regiment returned to Mossy Creek, and the next 
day received orders to report to General Thomas 
J. Wood, commanding a division of the Fourth 
Corps at Rutledge. The service with General Wood 
was made up of outpost duty — scouting and reconnaissance 
— with nothing worthy of note except the lessons learned in 
practical campaigning, of which the men were in need. It 
continued until the 6th of April, when the regiment was or- 
dered to Strawberry Plains to recruit the horses. 
During the month of March, two companies, under Captain 



12 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai^ry 

Light, were detached for service at Knoxville. The com- 
mand was afterwards increased to four companies under 
the same officer. The service was pleasant and important, 
consisting of picket duty, courier and escort duty, with some 
scouting when occasion required. They had the disadvan- 
tage, however, of being away from the regiment and missing 
many of its interesting and exciting experiences. Captain 
Light was highly commended by Generals Tillson and Am- 
men for his fidelity and zeal. East Tennessee 
had been so much of a thoroughfare for the two 
armies that it was pretty well stripped of all supplies, and it 
was difficult to obtain forage for the horses or provisions 
for the men away from the railroad. April 20th the regi- 
ment was ordered to move with all effective force to Bull's 
Gap, to report to General Cox. The Colonel being indis- 
posed, the command fell on Lieutenant Colonel Trowbridge. 
Upon reporting to General Cox he was informed that he 
was to take six companies of the Third Indiana Cavalry, be- 
sides the Tenth, with Hanson's Brigade of Infantry in sup- 
port, and move to Carter's Station to destroy a large railroad 
bridge over the Wautauga River. The movement was to be 
made with as much ostentation as practicable, so as to lead the 
enemy to believe that it was the advance of an army in the 
hope that at its approach the enemy might destroy the bridge, 
but if he did not, then the force was to destroy the bridge, 
and falling back, destroy the railroad as much as possible 
back to Bull's Gap. Upon reaching Jonesboro, it was 
learned that the bridge was defended by General A. E. Jack- 
son with a strong force on the north side, occupying a re- 
doubt, and extensive and well constructed rifle pits on the 
south side of the river. Colonel Trowbridge, thinking it 




Maj. Harvey E. Light 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai.ry 13 

possible to capture the entire force, divided his command 
and directed Major Smith with one portion to cross the 
river at a ford below the bridge and get in the rear. Upon 
the approach of Smith's command the detachment guarding 
the ford precipitately lied, but the river was found to be not 
fordable, and the attempt had to be abandoned, and Smith 
rejoined his command on the south side of the river. The 
cavalry was dismounted and deployed and advancing soon 
received the enemy's fire. In addition to the force in the 
redoubt and rifle pits, the force on the other side of the river 
swept the open ground with a hot cross fire. The ground 
in front of the redoubt and rifle pits was perfectly open for 
two or three hundred yards, and it seemed a risky thing to 
attempt an assault with a thin line of dismounted cavalry. It 
was apparent, however, that if the bridge was to be de- 
stroyed, these men must be driven out. Moreover as this 
was the first serious business in which the regiment had been 
engaged, the effect upon it of a successful assault would be 
very marked, while to retire without accomplishing anything 
would be very dispiriting. So the assault was ordered, and 
as the long thin line sprang forward with a cheer the enemy 
broke and fled. Major Smith was the first man inside the 
works, and Captain Weatherwax the second. As soon as 
they were joined by sufificient men, they dashed over the hill 
on which the redoubt was built, expecting to further rout 
the enemy and capture many prisoners before they could 
cross the river. They were met, however, by a destructive 
volley from a mill in which the enemy had taken refuge. 
That volley killed Captain Weatherwax and two men, and 
wounded sixteen. The rest of the men fell back under cover 
of the brow of the hill. Although a strong position had been 



14 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai,ry 

gained, it was found to be still impracticable to reach the 
bridge without exposure to a destructive fire. Word was 
therefore sent to General Manson at Jonesboro that the ene- 
my was in too strong a force and held too good a position to 
be dislodged by the cavalry, and suggesting that if he 
thought the destruction of the bridge of sufficient importance 
he would better come on with his brigade of infantry. He 
replied that he did not consider the destruction of the bridge 
important enough for that, and directed the cavalry to re- 
turn, doing such damage to the railroad as they could. This 
was done, and so ended the first serious business in which 
the regiment had been engaged. Should it be thought that 
too much space has been given to this unimportant affair, it 
may be answered that the importance of a matter cannot al- 
ways be determined by immediate results. The effect on the 
regiment of a successful assault on superior numbers in well 
constructed defenses had not been miscalculated, and un- 
doubtedly had much to do with making the regiment the 
strong aggressive force which it afterwards became. Men- 
tion of this incident should not be closed without a just 
tribute of praise to Captain Weatherwax. He was a noble 
man, and a soldier of dauntless courage. His loss was 
most deeply felt. The command of the company naturally fell 
to Lieutenant S. V. Thomas, who was promoted to fill the 
vacancy, and proved himself a worthy successor. 

On reaching Bull's Gap it was learned that preparations 
were being hurried for the infantry to join General Sher- 
man's army at Chattanooga. The Tenth was directed to 
remain at Bull's Gap until the last train had left, and then to 
move out immediately. This being done, the regiment re- 
turned to camp at Strawberry Plains. 



History of the Tenth Michigan CavaIvRy 15 

All available troops, except necessary garrisons, had gone 
to join Sherman's army. The Tenth was the only cavalry 
left in East Tennessee. Its outpost and picket duty, its con- 
stant scouting and responsibility for the frontier in the di- 
rection of Virginia, gave it plenty of work to do. It was 
important work, too, and work that must be done by some- 
body, but there was no chance for glory in it, except such 
glory as attaches to the faithful performance of duty. There 
was plenty of scouting — plenty of hard work — plenty of 
fighting — severe and gallant fighting, but on a small 
scale. When such great things were going on in 
other parts of the great theater of war, as in 
Virginia and Georgia, it could not be expected 
that the operations of a single regiment of cavalry in East 
Tennessee would attract much attention. Headquarters and 
a permanent camp were established at Strawberry Plains, 
and the regiment assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth 
Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, commanded respec- 
tively by Generals Tillson, Ammen and Schofield. After 
matters had settled down to working order. General Tillson 
sent for Colonel Trowbirdge and informed him that a small 
fort had been laid out and partially constructed by an en- 
gineer officer for the protection of the large railroad bridge 
at Strawberry Plains, and he was directed to go on and fin- 
ish it. Upon examining the work, it was thought that a 
mistake had been made in laying it out unless it was intended 
to put the guns in barbette. General Tillson was consulted 
about it, and declared most emphatically that he would never 
put guns in barbette, but always in embrasures, but he thought 
no mistake had been made in laying out the work, as he had 
done it himself. Colonel Trowbridge being still satisfied 



18 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai<ry 

that a mistake had been made, prepared a diagram of the 
work and a sketch of the surrounding country, which showed 
plainly enough that if the guns were put in embrasures, not 
one could be brought to bear on any one of the prominent 
points where the enemy would be likely to plant his batteriea 
On being shown this diagram and sketch, General Tillson 
burst out laughing and said, "I wrote you that I laid out 
that work ; I did not actually lay it out myself, but I ex- 
plained to the engineer what I wanted. It is plain to see 
that he did not understand me, or he did not know how to 
do it. You are clearly right, so go ahead and change the 
faces of the work according to your ideas." 

It became necessary to change every one of the five faces 
of the work, and when completed it was a strong fortification 
of its class. This matter would not have been considered 
v/orthy of mention except for the fact that on two occasions 
afterwards a small force was enabled by it to repulse attacks 
from largely outnumbering forces of the enemy, whereas if 
the fort had been finished as originally laid out, the enemy 
could have maintained a constant fire from a dozen batteries, 
indefinitely, without coming within the range of a single gim 
from the fort. As it was, their guns were knocked out of 
commission very soon after they showed themselves. 

Startling reports came from headquarters in Knoxville of 
large bodies of the enemy coming down from Rogersville. 
After several such alarms, it was thought best to make a 
good preparation for any such attack, and work at the fort 
was suspended, and all hands put to work constructing some 
rifle pits of permanent value. It was astonishing how much 
could be accomplished by concentrated eflFort, with a few 
picks and spades, and in one afternoon some very respectable 



Officers of thk Tenth ]\Iichigan CAVALR^■ 




Col. 
Thaddeus Foote 




Col. and Bvt. Mai. 

Gen. 

Luther S. Trowbridge 




Col. and Bvt. Brig. Gen. 
Israel C. Smith 



^^ ^ 




Major 
Cicero Newell 



Lt. Col. and Bvt. Col. 
John H. Standish 



Okfickrs ok THiv Tenth Michigan Cavai.kv 




1st Lieut, and Adjt. 
Charles E. Soule 



History op the Tenth Michigan Cavai^ry 17 

rifle pits were dug, which gave the men a sense of security, 
and furnished a rallying place easily found in the darkest 
night. These rifle pits were extended and strengthened until 
in a short time the camp had become an entrenched camp of 
no small strength and importance. With frequent reports 
of the enemy, and necessary scouting in different directions, 
with work on the fort between times, the time was well oc- 
cupied. 

On May 28th Colonel Foote, with 160 men, made a recon- 
naissance to Greenville, where he encountered Major Arn- 
old's Battalion. A brisk fight ensued, in which the enemy 
was completely routed, losing 84 men killed, 14 wounded 
and 26 taken prisoners, besides 38 horses and mules and 17 
negroes. One man, Sergeant Clark, of Co. A, was wounded 
in the knee. It was a very creditable affair, and served to 
increase the reputation of the regiment as a fighting organi- 
zation. On the return march Colonel Foote was slightly 
wounded in the foot by the accidental discharge of his own 
pistol. 

June 14th General Tillson was informed that the enemy 
had a large number of horses, estimated at 1,000, in pasture 
near Kingsport, and Lieutenant Colonel Trowbridge, with 
such force as could be spared from the camp, was directed 
to attempt their capture. He very unexpectedly met a party 
of the enemy at Bean's Station, which was promptly charged 
by the advance guard and portions of Companies C and M, 
under Captain Roberts. The charge was a spirited one, and 
the enemy was put to flight. One of them was badly wound- 
ed and left at Colonel Garrett's house. After charging them 
for about two miles, Captain Roberts wisely called a halt. 



18 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

Lieutenant Brooks of Company M, however, being in ad- 
vance, and smarting under some ill-treatment from a superior 
officer, kept up the pursuit with a few men for about ten 
miles. The command went into camp about eight miles 
from Rogersville. Taking an early start the next morning, 
the enemy was again met before proceeding a mile, and an- 
other brisk fight ensued. Co. D led in a charge in which 
three of the enemy were killed and one mortally wounded. 
The only loss sustained by the charging party was one man 
of Co. D — Corporal Benton — wounded in the leg. The com- 
mand moved on to Kingsport, but all hope of capturing the 
horses had to be abandoned, as couriers had been sent on to 
give warning, and the horses had been removed. The next 
morning, while giving the horses a much needed feed in a 
meadow near Blountsville, the enemy made a sudden dash 
on our pickets, but was promptly driven back. One man of 
Co, M, coming in from picket when the attack was made, 
was mistaken for one of the enemy and lost an arm by a 
shot from one of our own men. For conveience in foraging, 
the command was divided into three parts and sent by differ- 
ent routes for the camp at Strawberry Plains, where it ar- 
rived on June 21st without further incident worthy of note. 
In a brief history like this it is impossible to make mention 
of every movement of every detachment of the regiment. 
An affair occurred at Wilsonville, about twenty-five or thirty 
miles north of east from Sevierville, which showed the stead- 
iness of the men in presence of sudden danger. Lieutenant 
Dunn was ordered with twenty-five men to attempt the res- 
cue of Colonel Fry of the East Tennesseeans, a valuable 
scout and guide, who had been captured by a roving band of 
guerrillas. Soon after leaving Sevierville, he struck the 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 19 

track of a party of about the same size as his own, which 
had been robbing the citizens right and left, and was mak- 
ing for the mountains. He followed them all day, and part 
of the next, until they reached the mountains without bring- 
ing them to action. As he could learn nothing of Colonel 
Fry, and there were no prisoners wuth the band he was pur- 
suing, he deemed it proper to return. At Wilsonville, while 
unbridled and unsaddled and feeding in a meadow, they were 
charged by the same party they had been pursuing, rein- 
forced by about sixty men, who killed one of the pickets, 
Bert or David A. Crammer, of Ottawa County, but when 
they reached the field where the horses were feeding, they 
were met by a sharp fire from the Spencer carbines, which 
killed and wounded six men and two horses. As soon as 
the men could be mounted, pursuit was made, but the enemy 
seemed quite unwilling to come within range of the Spencer 
carbines again, and kept at a respectful distance. 

It must be sufficient for many such matters to say that 
there was constant scouting in pretty much all directions to- 
ward the Virginia line. Reports were made of the approach 
of the enemy in larger or smaller bodies, and in order to keep 
well informed and ready for any emergency, it was neces- 
sary to keep scouting parties out all the time. On July 31st 
orders were received by Colonel Trowbridge to take 250 men 
and go up the country to destroy bridges on the Wautauga 
and Houlston Rivers. Major Smith went up with three 
companies from Knoxville to join the expedition. At Alor- 
ristown they met Major Arnold's battalion of rebel cavalry. 
Major Smith, with one battalion, immediately charged them 
and drove them through the town and up the road to Russell- 
ville, where Major Smith was detached with one battalion 



20 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

to get in their rear at Bull's Gap, but they succeeded in get- 
ling away by taking the Snapp's Ferry road. The Tenth 
then moved on to Greenville, where it being evident that the 
attempt to destroy the bridges would be fruitless, the com- 
mand returned to Strawberry Plains, where it arrived on 
the 5th of August. On that day Colonel Foote went home 
on leave of absence, and on the 10th word was received of 
the acceptance of his resignation. Exciting rumors contin- 
ued to come in of the proximity of large bodies of confeder- 
ate cavalry, and their threatening attitude, which caused 
work on the defenses at Strawberry Plains to the pushed 
with the greatest vigor, although it is doubtful if anyone 
really apprehended a serious attack. It is easy to be de- 
ceived, and so in order to be well prepared for such an 
event, work was rushed and scouting parties sent out in 
every direction where a confederate force was reported. An 
indented line of rifle pits had been run from the fort to the 
railroad, and strengthened by piling up railroad ties. On 
the 17th of August General Joe Wheeler, of Hood's Army, 
and later of much repute in the Spanish- American war, was 
reported to have cut the railroad at Athens, and was ap- 
proaching with his corps of cavalry, with several batteries 
of artillery. It seems that. Mashing to get into Middle Ten- 
nessee, to cut up the communcations of Sherman's Army, 
he was obliged to go above Knoxville, in order to cross the 
Holston River, there being no fords below Knoxville, and 
the ferries all being in possession of the Union troops. On 
the same day there arrived at Strawberry Plains from Mid- 
dle Tennessee a brigade of three regiments of cavalry, under 
command of General A. C. Gillem. These regiments were 
well armed and splendidly mounted, having had their pick 



Officers of the Tenth Michk^ax Cavalry 




1st Lt. and R. Q, M. 
Alphonso A. Maxim, ir 



1st Lt. and R. C. S. 

Don A. Dodge 



Officers of thf; Tenth Mjchk;an Ca\ alkv 




1st Asst. Surg. 
William D. Scott 



2nd Asst. Surg. 
Thomas Shaw 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 21 

of horses from the well stocked farms of Middle Tennessee. 
General Gillem claimed to have a command independent of 
the officers at Knoxville, and to have been sent to East Ten- 
nessee at the urgent request of Andrew Johnson, then Mili- 
tary Governor of l^nnessee, to rid that section of the state 
of the presence of confederate troops. Colonel Trowbridge 
was ordered to report to him with every available man that 
could be mustered in his regiment. Such a force judiciously 
handled in contesting the fords of the Holston, hanging on 
the flanks of Wheeler's command, and attacking whenever 
and wherever opportunity ofifered, could have greatly im- 
peded the march of Wheeler, and doubtless could have 
picked up many prisoners. Instead of that course, however. 
General Gillem decided to go towards Virginia, and on the 
19th moved to New Market, with the Tenth in advance. An 
incident occurred on this march which tested the steadiness 
of the regiment in a new and unexpected manner. The com- 
mand stopped at a small stream to water. Company A, 
under Lieutenant Converse, was in the advance of the col- 
umn, with two companies under the command of Captain 
Sears a mile or so further in advance as an advance guard. 
The General, with his staff and an escort of two full com- 
panies, had moved out after watering. Co. A had finished 
watering, and the Colonel, after giving directions how to 
hasten the watering, went to the head of the column, when 
back from the front in a wild race came the General with 
his staff, orderlies and escort, wildly shouting, 'T'm ruined, 
I'm ruined, I'm ruined — they are right on us, they are right 
on us," and went galloping back to the rear, apparently very 
much in a panic. It would not have been remarkable if the 
panic had communicated to the rest of the command, but 



22 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

the voice of the Colonel rang out clear and strong, "Steady, 
Co. A, draw sabre, forward, trot, march," If there had 
been any fear of a panic it was over, and the regiment 
trotted on to the advance guard, only to learn that the 
alarm was without any foundation in fact. But the Tenth 
had a chance to show its nerve, and it showed it. On the 
23rd Giltner's brigade was met at Blue Springs, and a sharp 
fight ensued, in which six men in Co. A and one in Co. L 
were wounded, three of whom died. The enemy was dis- 
lodged from a strong position, pursued for several miles and 
driven in confusion through Greenville. Instead of follow- 
ing the enemy up, the command was switched over to 
Rogersville, and for several days nothing was done worthy 
of note except to march down to Bean's Station to keep away 
from Wheeler, when it was learned that Wheeler had gone 
into Middle Tennessee. Colonel Trowbridge was sent to 
camp by General Gillem on some duty, leaving Major Newell 
in command. 

While the Colonel was away occurred an affair reflecting 
great credit on the regiment and all the ofificers concerned, 
and worthy of a more extended notice than the writer can 
give it by reason of lack of authentic information on the 
subject. He cannot recall that any written report was made 
at the time, of the part taken by the regiment, and he has 
endeavored by correspondence and otherwise to get at the 
facts. While the different accounts agree as to the principal 
facts, they differ widely in matters of detail. 

Mrs. Joe Williams, a loyal woman of Greenville, rode one 
dark night to General Gillem's camp at Bulls Gap and noti- 
fied the General of the presence at Greenville, eighteen miles 
away, of General John H. Morgan and his command. It was 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 23 

a very dark and stormy night, the ith of September. Gillem 
moved out with his command, with the 10th Michigan in the 
advance. They struck the pickets of Vaughn's brigade at 
Copper Ridge a few miles west of Greenville. They cap- 
tured the first picket post, and moved on the second, when 
Vaughn's brigade opened fire on them from behind Copper 
Ridge. Major Newell dismounted and deployed the advance 
battalion under Captain Light, and followed the enemy 
towards Greenville. There was more or less firing on the 
way, and it seems strange that it did not arouse the force 
in Greenville. A story was current at the time that General 
Morgan had given orders the night before to have all the 
fire arms discharged at daylight, and when the firing was 
heard it was supposed to be only the result of that order. At 
all events, when the 9th Tennessee and the 10th Michigan 
charged into town, the enemy was in no condition to resist, — 
some were getting their breakfasts, others cleaning up their 
equipments, and all unprepared for an attack. The 12th 
Tennessee under Colonel Miller had gone around to the east 
of the town to come in on the flank and rear of the enemy. 
General Morgan and staff were at the house of Mrs. Will- 
iams, the mother-in-law of the woman who had carried the 
information to General Gillem at Bull's Gap. The men of 
the 9th Tennessee learning that fact surrounded the house. 
Morgan ran out of the rear door, seeking to escape by hid- 
ing in a grape arbor. He was seen by a member of the 9th 
Tennessee, who ordered him to halt, and upon his disregard- 
ing the order, he was shot and killed. His staflf, among 
whom was a grandson of Henry Clay, 100 prisoners and 6 
pieces of artillery were captured. 

In this fight the 10th did its full share, and great credit 
is due to Major Newell for the coolness and skill with which 



24 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai,ry 

he handled his men, as well as to the officers and men of his 
command for the promptness and zeal with which they 
executed his orders. 

When Colonel Trowbridge reported to General Gillem for 
duty, he took with him every man from Strawberry Plains 
who was fit for duly, leaving behind 125 men who were con- 
valescent, blacksmiths, horse farriers, and other special duty 
men. There was also in the fort which the regiment had 
constructed a section of a field battery of light artillery, 
Colvin's Illinois Battery. While the regiment was away 
Wheeler came up with his cavalry corps of six thousand men 
and nine pieces of artillery. Standish played a splendid game 
of bluff, blazing away with his two field pieces as if he had a 
great sufficiency of men stowed away somewhere. General 
Williams, commanding one of Wheeler's divisions, and 
known in the old army as Cerro Gordo Williams, was told 
by some of the rebel citizens that there were no troops there, 
that they had all gone up the country. He replied, "Oh, you 
can't fool me. Those Yankees are full of tricks. Those men 
wouldn't be walking about there so unconcerned if they 
hadn't plenty of men to back them." Standish had sent a 
sergeant, Edward Drew, and seven men to guard McMillan's 
ford. One of the men, formerly a corporal, was disgruntled 
at having been reduced to the ranks, and went ofif on his own 
hook, so that only seven were left. One of them was a horse 
farrier of Co. B, by the name of Alexander H. Griggs, of 
Wayne County. These seven men actually kept 
back a rebel brigade from crossing at that 
ford for three hours, and a half by desperate 
fighting — disabling more than fifty. The rebels 
finally, by swimming the river above and below this little 



Officers of the Tenth Michigan Cavai,rv 




Capt. and Bvt. Maj. 
William H. Dunn 



Capt. 

Ben. K. Weatherwax 



Officers of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 




Capt. 
Stephen V. Thomas 




Wk ^ 




Capt. 
George M. Farnham 




Capt, 
James B. Roberts 




Capt. 
Ambrose L. Soule 



Capt. 
William E. Cummin 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai,ry 25 

party, and out of their sight, succeeded in surrounding and 
capturing them all. During the fight Griggs was badly 
wounded. General Wheeler, who crossed over with the 
brigade, was much impressed by the valor of these men, and 
at once paroled a man to stay and take care of Griggs, par- 
ticularly cautioning him to take good care of him, as he was 
too brave a man to be allowed to die. Approaching the 
wounded farrier, the following dialogue is said to have taken 
place. 

General Wheeler — Well, my man, how many men had you 
at this ford ? 

Griggs — Seven, sir. 

Wheeler — My poor fellow, don't you know that you are 
badly wounded You might as well tell me the truth; you 
may not live long. 

Griggs (indignantly) — I am telling you the truth, sir. We 
only had seven men. 

Wheeler (laughing) — Well, what did you expect to do? 

Griggs — To keep you from crossing, sir. 

Wheeler (greatly amused and laughing) — Well, why 
didn't you do it? 

Griggs — Why you see we did until you hit me, and that 
weakened our forces so much that you were too much for us. 

Wheeler was greatly amused, and turning to another pris- 
oner (who happened also to be a horse farrier — John Dunn, 
of Co. I), inquired to what regiment they belonged. On 
being informed he said, "Are all the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 
like you ?" "Oh, no," said Dunn, "we are the poorest of the 
lot. We are mostly horse farriers and blacksmiths and spe- 
cial duty men, and not much accustomed to fighting." 
"Well," said Wheeler, "if I had 300 such men as you, I 
could march straight through h — 1." 



26 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai,ry 

On the same day Major Smith, of the Tenth, was sent out 
from Knoxville with seventy-two men, all the mounted force 

that could be mustered, to scout in the direction of Straw- 
berry Plains, and ascertain the strength and position of the 
enemy. The authorities at Knoxville had become a little 
anxious over the near approach of so large a body of the 
enemy's troops, for while the fortifications were extensive 
and very strong, the garrison was sufficient to man them 
only very inadequately. General Tillson therefore desired 
Major Smith to get as much accurate information as pos- 
sible. Accordingly the Major gave orders to his advance 
guard. Sergeant Rounsville and ten men, to charge the first 
body of the enemy that they should meet, regardless of its 
strength. Two and a half miles from Flat Creek bridge the 
enemy was discovered and charged by the advance guard in 
gallant style, the Major following up with his command. 
The enemy proved to be the Eighth Texas Cavalry, 400 
strong. Major Smith routed them completely, capturing 

their commanding ofificer, a Lieutenant Colonel, and thirty 
or forty prisoners. Thinking that he could capture the 
whole party before they could recross the Holston River, he 
pursued them at full gallop until he came to Flat Creek 
bridge. Over this he dashed, to find himself confronted by 
Hume's entire division of cavalry drawn up in line of battle, 
scarcely 300 yards from the bridge. Of course he was ob- 
liged to retire, and the pursuit was the other way. All his 
prisoners were recaptured, and about one-half of his men, 
but he obtained a good deal of information. The officers, 
among whom were Lieutenants Barr and Weatherwax, and 
men were paroled after having been stripped of their boots 
and shoes and much of their clothing, and being obliged to 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai,ry 27 

walk barefoot over the rough and stony roads for more than 
twenty-five miles. They were so used up by their ill-treat- 
ment as to be unfit for duty for a considerable time. 

September Ith Lieutenant Colonel Trowbridge received his 
commission as Colonel. 

On the 5th General Gillem was ordered to send the Tenth 
back to Strawberry Plains, but refused to do so. On that 
day Colonel Trowbridge, Major Smith and Captain Thomas, 
of General Carter's staff, were appointed commissioners to 
negotiate for the exchange of citizen prisoners, and went up 
to Greenville to meet the rebel commissioners. After several 
days' delay waiting for them a meeting was held on the 
11th and 12th, but could accomplish nothing, as they had no 
lists, and adjourned to meet at Danbridge October 1st. 

The regiment returned to Strawberry Plains, but nothing 
worthy of note occurred until the 15th, when the regiment 
was ordered out with General Tillson and about 850 infantry 
to intercept a large force on the other side of Clinch River, 
said to be four brigades of Wheeler's cavalry going to Vir- 
ginia from Middle Tennessee. The movement to intercept 
them was too late, however, as they had all passed Walker's 
Ford before the Tenth reached there. On the 21st Colonel 
Trowbridge was ordered to move to Bull's Gap, which he 
reached on the 23rd, and reported to General Ammen. The 
joint command of Generals Gillem and Ammen marched 
toward Carter's Station. At Jonesboro, on the 29th, the 
rebel commissioners were met on their way to Danbridge, 
under flag of truce. Colonel Trowbridge was directed to re- 
turn with them, and turned the command of the regiment 
over to Major Newell, who gained for the regiment fresh 
laurels and the hearty commendation of General Ammen for 



28 History of the Tenth Michigan CAVALRy 

their steadiness and gallant conduct in a stubborn fight at 
Carter's Station the next day, when the enemy was driven 
from his position. 

October 9th a party of 75 men, under Lieutenant Sherman, 
a loyal and gallant officer from Virginia, of Co. M, was sent 
out by General Ammen to find a band of guerillas under 
Hipshir, Sherman's party was led into an ambush at Thorn 
Hill, and lost 1 man killed, 4 wounded and 15 captured. 

On the 13th Colonel Trowbridge was ordered to Michigan 
to hurry forward a large number of men who were said to 
have been enlisted for the regiment, and were awaiting 
transportation. The command devolved upon Major Newell. 
Nothing of unusual interest occurred beyond the usual scout- 
ing until the 12th of November, when occurred a series of 
actions worthy of careful notice. General Gillem had re- 
mained at Bull's Gap with his brigade without any good 
reason apparent. There was nothing in particular to be de- 
fended there, and the position was easily turned. General 
Breckenridge was coming down from Virginia with quite a 
little army, larger than the one with which General Taylor 
fought the battle of Buena Vista. He had several thousand 
infantry, under the command of General John B. Palmer, 
formerly of Detroit, about 1,500 cavalry, under Basil Duke, 
an experienced officer from Kentucky, and a full complement 
of artillery. Undoubtedly his object was to capture Knox- 
ville, and in that way relieve the pressure at other points. 
The movement excited much interest, and aroused much 
apprehension in the minds of those charged with responsi- 
bility for affairs in that region, as was shown by dispatches 
between the Secretary of War and Generals Thomas and 
Ammen. General Gillem remained at Bull's Gap until nearly 



Officers of the Tenth INJichigan Cavalry 




Capt. 
Myron A, Converse 



Capt. 
B. Frank Sherman 



Officers of the Tenth Michigan Cavai.rv 





Capt. 
Amos T. Avers 



Capt. 
Enos B. Bailey 




Capt. 
Elliot F. Covall 



Capt. 
Andrew J. Itaell 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai,ry 29 

surrounded by General Duke's cavalry, and then attempted 
to withdraw. In doing so he seemed to have lost his head, 
and much confusion followed. In answer to appeals for re- 
inforcement, Major Smith of the Tenth was sent up by train 
from Knoxville with one hundred men of the 
Tenth dismounted, and one hundred men of 
Kirk's North Carolina regiment to Morristown. There they 
disembarked and formed, Major Smith on the right of the 
railroad and Kirk on the left. When Smith arrived panic 
and confusion reigned supreme in Gillem's command. That 
officer, for reasons best known to himself, had gathered to- 
gether a few officers and twenty or thirty men, abandoned 
his command, and taken the shortest route through the 
woods for Knoxville, where he safely arrived the next day. 
The officers and men of his command, being deserted by 
their commanding officer, naturally thought that everything 
was lost, and the only safety was in flight. There was one 
notable exception, brave and gallant Colonel Miller, with his 
sturdy regiment, the Thirteenth Tennessee, seeing no hope 
of any successful resistance to Duke's victorious legions, 
wisely withdrew to the north side of the river and escaped 
the rout. The other regiments were streaming past Smith 
in wildest confusion, hotly pursued by the enemy. The 
captain of the battery of six Parrott guns, a brave and 
gallant officer, whose name is not recalled, seeing Smith in 
position, thought he would be supported in making a fight, 
and took position some little distance in the rear. Smith 
sent him word by two or three mounted men not to stop, 
but to keep on down the road. He did not get the order. 
Smith, having cautioned his men not to fire until the order 
was given, waited until he thought the last of Gillem's men 



30 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

had passed, and the enemy was within a few rods when his 
challenge rang out clear and strong, "Halt! Who comes 
there?" "Johnny rebs" was the quick response. Then, 
"Ready, aim, fire," and the Spencer carbines belched forth 
their fiery blast. It was reported that those volleys killed 
seven officers and thirty men, and doubtless wounded many 
more. The effect of the sudden and unexpected shock was 
tremendous and most stunning. The enemy broke and fled 
in the greatest alarm. A Colonel commanding one of Duke's 
brigades told the writer afterwards that he was in the rear 
that night, and that if those volleys had been followed up by 
a charge of a single squadron of cavalry, the whole of Duke's 
command would have been thrown into a panic. As it was, 
they came pouring back upon him in the greatest confusion. 
But there was no squadron to make the charge. Smith, see- 
ing that with the confusion of Gillem's command, it would 
be hopeless for him to contend against such overwhelming 
odds, and doubtless supposing, too, that the check which the 
enemy had received would enable the balance of Gillem's 
men to make their escape, wisely drew off into some timber 
and quietly withdrew, and after an all-night's march brought 
his men safely into camp the next day at Strawberry Plains. 
After recovery from the shock of their bloody repulse, the 
enemy advanced again and captured the battery and wagon 
train. The most of Gillem's remaining force, however, made 
good their escape, with the loss of about 300 prisoners. 
There is no doubt that except for the timely arrival of Smith 
and his men of the Tenth, and the bloody check which they 
administered with their Spencer carbines, the bulk of Gil- 
lem's force, or of two regiments of it, would have been cap- 
tured, for up to that time the enemy had had things all 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 31 



their own way. This fight occurred on Sunday night. On 
the following Tuesday morning Colonel Trowbridge re- 
turned and found Major Newell calmly awaiting Brecken- 
ridge's approach, keeping well informed of his movements 
by frequent scouting parties. Colonel Trowbridge kept Gen- 
erals Tillson and Ammen at Knoxville well informed, and 
suggested that, if it was considered important to hold the 
post, it would be well to send up some reinforcements. 
General Gillem heard of the suggestion and stoutly pro- 
tested against it, as the post was certain to be captured, and 
sending any reinforcements would be just throwing the men 
away. General Tillson, however, sent up two companies of 
Ohio Heavy Artillery, acting as infantry, which brought the 
force at Strawberry Plains, including hundred days' men, 
scouts and a small battalion of Kentucky cavalry that had 
happened to stop there, up to about 700 men — besides a sec- 
tion of an Illinois field battery, under Captain Wood, which 
was in the fort of which mention has been made. Two hun- 
dred of the Tenth had been sent to Kentucky for horses and 
had not returned. Scouting parties were kept out on both 
sides of the river Tuesday and Wednesday, and Wednesday 
night it was thought that an attack would be made in the 
morning, and the men were ordered to sleep on their arms 
in the trenches. The next morning the enemy opened with 
three guns from College Hill, and drew a prompt response 
from Wood, who had the hill covered with his guns. At 
the same time a strong skirmish line was thrown out to the 
rear, which developed the enemy about a mile from the camp. 
A brisk fight was kept up with that portion of the enemy 
all Ihe forenoon, while an equally sharp fight was main- 
tained with the enemy across the river, both artillery and 



82 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai<ry 

infantry. About half past three the force in the rear was 
seen to be moving away up the river. Undoubtedly the hot 
reception which they had met at Morristown had made them 
cautious about coming near the Spencer carbines. Brecken- 
ridge remained in the vicinity for several days, when he 
withdrew, and the fear of the capture of Knoxville was re- 
lieved. Should inquiry be made why the conduct of General 
Gillem was not officially investigated, it might be answered 
that he had in Governor Johnson a very warm and powerful 
friend, and the influence of personal and political considera- 
tions was so great as to make the institution and prosecution 
of charges a matter of extreme difficulty. No one familiar 
with the facts seemed to be willing to take the responsibility 
of pressing an investigation. 

On December 6th, the regiment broke camp permanently 
and moved to Knoxville to refit. On December 10th Captain 
Roberts, with 50 men, was sent as an escort to General Stone- 
man, in command of Gillem's and Burbridge's Cavalry, on 
an expedition to the Salt Works in Southwestern Virginia. 
The regiment remained at Knoxville engaged in the affairs 
of the camp, until March 20th, 1865. During this time some 
changes had occurred. Lieutenant Colonel Trowbridge had 
been promoted to be Colonel ; Major Smith to be Lieutenant 
Colonel, and Captain Standish to be Major. But these offi- 
cers could not muster in their new grades by reason of the 
paucity in numbers. An order was received from Washing- 
ton to send an officer and six men to Michigan on recruiting 
service. Captain Light was selected for that service, which 
he discharged with his accustomed energy and zeal, and the 
ranks were filled. 

On the 20th of January Lieutenant Colonel Trowbridge 



Officers of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 




Capt. 
Chauncey F. Shepard 




Capt. 
James L. Smith 




Capt. 
Archibald Stevensc 




1st Lt. 
Adam R. Insley 



1st Lt. 
Fred. N. Field 



Officers of the Tenth Michigan Cavalrv 




ist Lt. 

Alfred A. Garlock 



I St Li. 
Robe.t G. Bar 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 33 

was appointed Provost Marshal General of East Tennessee, 
to relieve General S. P. Carter. Major Newell, having mus- 
tered out, the command of the regiment devolved on Major 
Standish. Colonel Trowbridge remained in the position of 
Provost Marshal General until March 20th, when he was 
relieved at his own request to take command of the regiment 
on an important expedition organized by General Stoneman, 
who had come to Knoxville to take command of the cavalry 
, in Kentucky and East Tennessee, and to organize an expedi- 
tion into Virginia. General Grant, with his great foresight, 
anticipating, as a possibility, that General Lee, when driven 
out of Richmond, might attempt to retire into the moun- 
tainous and easily defensible regions of South Western Vir- 
ginia and East Tennessee, determined to send an expedition 
to destroy as much as possible of the railroad running to the 
southwest by way of Lynchburg. That was the Stoneman 
expedition of which the Tenth Michigan was a part. It 
consisted of three brigades and one field battery. It left 
Knoxville on March 20th and moved to Jonesboro. On the 
26th there was an issue of rations for eight days, the last 
regular issue for nearly two months. The destination was 
kept very secret. In order to deceive the enemy, one brigade 
was sent to Bristol, to draw the attention of the enemy in 
that direction, afterwards rejoining the column as it crossed 
the mountains, while the other two brigades struck directly 
across the mountains to Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The 
appearance of a large body of cavalry in Western North 
Carolina, threatening both Salisbury and Greensboro, must 
have been somewhat disturbing to the confederate authori- 
ties. It was reported that troops were hurried to both of 
those places in anticipation of an attack. After waiting a 



34 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

few days for the subsidence of a freshet in the Yadkin River, 
and incidentally for its presence to be fully felt, the com- 
mand turned square off to the north to strike the railroad. 
Five hundred picked men of the Tennessee brigade, under 
Colonel Miller, were sent to Wytheville. A battalion of the 
Fifteenth Pennsylvania, under Major Wagner, was sent to 
the immediate vicinity of Lynchburg, while the main body, 
by a rapid march, moved to Christiansburg, arriving there 
April 4th about midnight. The Tenth was immediately sent 
about 20 miles east to destroy six railroad bridges over the 
Roanoke River, which was thoroughly accomplished. While 
engaged in the work at Big Spring, Colonel Trowbridge 
found a Lynchburg paper of the day before containing an 
account of the fall of Richmond. He immediately sent it to 
General Stoneman at Christiansburg, and thus was the first 
to convey intelligence of that important event. After resting 
at Salem the 5th and 6th, he received orders at 1 a. m. of the 
7th to move by the shortest and best route to Rocky Mount, 
thence to Martinsville, or Henry Court House, to be there 
by 9 o'clock on the morning of the 8th, and there await the 
balance of the brigade, which was to move by a different 
route. The distance was 75 miles. The regiment moved at 
4 a. m., and by a forced night march reached Henry Court 
House about 7 a. m. of the 8th, to find it occupied by about 
500 of Wheeler's cavalry, said to be a regiment commanded 
by Colonel Wheeler, a brother of General Joe Wheeler. The 
regiment was encamped about a mile from the town, in a 
piece of woods, leaving a picket post in the town. Captain 
James H. Cummins, commanding the leading battalion, im- 
mediately charged and routed the party in the town, and 
drove them back on the main body. The noise of the firing 



Officers of the Ten'Th Michigan Cavalry 




ist Lt 
Guorge W. French 



1st Lt- 
Sam W. Harback 



Officers of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 




2nd Lt. 

John H. Starkweather 



2nd Lt. 
Persons H. Brace 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai^ry 35 

aroused the main body, which quickly saddled and formed, 
and when Cummins reached them they were in line of battle. 
Nothing could restrain the Tenth, however, and they at- 
tacked with vigor, and the enemy was driven out of the 
woods. They mainly took refuge in a deep depression so 
common at the South, and there, huddled together, they 
formed an excellent target for the Spencer carbines of Cap- 
tain Dunn and his plucky boys. The casualties of the enemy 
were reported as 27 killed. How many were wounded was 
not learned. The fight was not without loss to the Tenth. 
Lieutenant Kenyon, a gallant young officer, who had been 
promoted but not mustered, and four men were killed, and 
Lieutenant Field, a brave and gallant officer, and three men 
were wounded. As the regiment was ordered to remain 
there until the balance of the brigade came up, the men 
were drawn in and placed in the most available positions for 
defense in case they should be attacked, and then waited the 
balance of the brigade until 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The 
next day the command started for Germantown and Salem. 
General Stoneman, with two brigades, crossed the Yadkin 
at Shallow Ford and moved on Salisbury. The Tenth was 
sent to burn bridges on the railroad between Greensboro and 
Salisbury. One battalion under command of Captain J. H. 
Cummins was sent to High Point to attract the attention of 
the enemy, if any there should be, in that direction, while the 
other two battalions, under Colonel Trowbridge, proceeded 
towards Lexington to burn some bridges over Abbott's 
Creek. Captain Cummins at High Point captured and de- 
stroyed a large amount of Confederate Government prop- 
erty, four warehouses filled with quartermaster and commis- 
sary stores, one woolen factory, one engine, 20 box cars, one 



36 History of thb Tknth Michigan Cavalry 

baggage car, about $75,000 of medical stores and 7,000 bales 
of cotton. 

Colonel Trowbridge wishing to get the bridges destroyed 
before daylight, sent on Captain Roberts with two companies 
to go ahead at a trot, while he followed more leisurely. It 
was an all-night march. About half-past six, to his great 
surprise, he came on a party of the enemy. All his informa- 
tion up to that time was to the effect that there were no 
confederate troops in that section. They had all gone to 
Greensboro to join General Beauregard. Such was the in- 
formation, but before him quietly in camp was Ferguson's 
brigade of confederate cavalry from Wheeler's corps. His 
orders were, after destroying the bridges, to proceed on the 
direct road to Salisbury to co-operate with General Stone- 
m.an, who had gone to attack on the other side. But what 
had become of the two companies which had passed over 
the same road only a few hours before? And the bridges, 
what of them? Had Roberts been able to destroy them, or 
had he been gathered in and left no sign? It was a per- 
plexing situation. Apparently the Confederates were quite 
unaware of the approach of an enemy, and, with horses and 
men fresh, it might be possible to stampede them by a sudden 
dash, but after a nearly continuous march of more than 
twenty-four hours, neither horses nor men were in good con- 
dition to make an aggressive fight against such large odds, 
six companies against a brigade. Moreover, if it were pos- 
sible by any good fortune to drive the enemy, which was 
very doubtful, he would simply go towards Salisbury, and 
make General Stoneman's task the harder. On the other 
hand if by falling back the enemy could be drawn after and 
still kept at arm's length, it was thought to be a good move in 



Ofi-ickrs or THE Tenth Michk^an Cavalry 




2nd Lt. 
Sam White, Jr. 



Walter A. Pal 



Oi'i'icKRS oi' THE Tenth Michigan Cavai.rv 




2no Lt. 

Henry L Covell 



2nd Lt. 
Charles H. Dumont 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 87 

this game of military chess, Hke capturing a bishop or a 
knight at the expense of a pawn. These considerations 
quicky passed through the mind of the commanding officer, 
and he decided to retire by alternate squadrons. But he did 
not wish to begin the movement without hearing from Cap- 
tain Roberts, and so he placed his men in the best positions 
available, threw a barricade across the road, behind which 
he placed Captain Dunn with his reliable and plucky com- 
pany. He had scarcely completed his arrangements when 
Captain Roberts came in with his two companies in good 
order, and reported that he had destroyed tw-o bridges. 
"Rut," said he, "there is a large force about a mile down 
the road." Upon being asked how he knew, he said he had 
slipped passed them on their flank, and could see the whole 
camp. He was quite sure that besides the cavalry there was 
a good force of infantry. The object of the expedition, the 
destruction of the bridges, having been accomplished, the 
movement to retire by alternate squadrons was explained, 
and without longer delay commenced. It was not long be- 
fore it was discovered, and the enemy attacked with great 
vigor. Then for two hours ensued a remarkable fight, in 
which the officers and men of the Tenth acquitted themselves 
with great credit. The enemy repeatedly charged with great 
gallantry, and as he attempted to pass a column around each 
flank, it became necessary to retire rapidly, but never at any 
time was there the slightest evidence of uneasiness or panic. 
The men wheeled out of line into column and into line again, 
when new positions were reached with the same coolness and 
precision as if on the parade ground and no enemy near. 
Their conduct was worthy of the highest praise. Strange 
as it may seem, the only losses in the Tenth were two men 



38 History of the Tknth Michigan Cavalry 

captured during the night while trying to get some horses 
out of a barn. From rebel newspapers, deserters and men 
who came in to be paroled, it was learned that the losses of 
the enemy in killed and wounded were between 75 and 100. 
Where all did so well, it may seem invidious to mention any 
specially, and in the lapse of years some names may have 
been lost sight of, but the following named officers are dis- 
tinctly remembered as worthy of special mention for their 
coolness and courage: Major Standish, Captains Roberts, 
Dunn, Minihan, Lieutenants Beech, Wild and Sergeant 
Dumont, commanding Co. D. 

Upon rejoining the brigade at Salem the command 
moved to Shallow Ford to join General Stone- 
man in his attack on Salisbury. On reaching 
the South Fork of the Yadkin, about three miles from Salis- 
bury, General Stoneman was unable to cross. The stream, 
though narrow, was deep, with high precipitous banks. It 
was spanned by a bridge, the planks of which had been re- 
moved, and it was covered by artillery well supported. Gen- 
eral Stoneman, with his battery, tried to drive them away, 
but could not succeed. After some delay he said to Major 
Smith, of the Tenth, who was serving on his staflf, "I want 
you to take 20 men of the Tenth Michigan, with their 
Spencer carbines (he had an escort from the Tenth), get 
across this stream in some way, and flank those fellows out 
of there." Smith got across on logs and fallen trees, and 
creeping up on the flank of the rebels, delivered some rattling 
volleys from his repeating carbines, when the whole force 
broke and fled. Stacey, with his Tennesseeans, who had 
been waiting for the chance, quickly relaid the planks on the 
bridge and charged across. The fight was over in a very 



History of thb Tknth Michigan Cavalry 39 

short time, and the city, with 900 prisoners, 19 pieces of 
artillery and immense quantities of stores was captured. It 
was estimated by General Gillem's quartermaster that 
enough quartermaster stores were destroyed to equip an 
army of 75,000 men. About midnight of the 14th news was 
received at Statesville of the surrender of Lee's army. On 
the 17th the Tenth was sent to Newton to guard the fords 
of the Catawba, and to gather in any stragglers from Lee's 
army who were seeking to get away without being paroled, 
being busy at that work for several days. News of the 
assassination of President Lincoln was received at Newton 
on the 23d. Then came the ill-judged armistice between 
Generals Sherman and Johnson, and the division was or- 
dered to East Tennessee. When about fifteen miles from 
Ashville, an order was received reciting that the armistice 
had been disapproved, and directing General Palmer, com- 
manding the division (Generals Stoneman and Gillem hav- 
ing returned to East Tennessee) to return to the Carolinas, 
and make sure by laying waste the country, if necessary, that 
no supplies should reach General Johnson's army from south 
or west of the Catawba River. The Division returned, but 
before the work of laying waste the country had begun, 
Johnson had surrendered, and that painful necessity was 
avoided. 

Thus ended what has been called the Stoneman Raid of 
1865. It may be safely said that no similar enterprise in the 
history of the war accomplished so much of importance with 
so little public attention. General Thomas, in his official 
report, said that no railroad was more effectively disman- 
tled than the road running to the southwest from Lynchburg. 
For 125 miles substantially every bridge and trestle of any 



40 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 

importance had been destroyed, while several bridges on the 
Danville road had met a similar fate. Large quantities of 
military supplies and property of the Confederate Govern- 
ment had been captured and destroyed at High Point and 
Salisbury. That it attracted no more attention ought not to 
be wondered at under the circumstances. With P'arragut 
and Canby knocking at the gates of Mobile, with Wilson and 
his splendid army of cavalry sweeping over the states of 
Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, with Sherman striding 
like a giant through the Carolinas, and Grant tightening his 
relentless grip on the army of Northern Virginia, it was not 
strange that a small division of cavalry in Virginia and 
North Carolina, away from the scenes of great achievements, 
should attract but a small degree of public attention. In all 
the operations of the division, the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 
bore a conspicuous part. 

On the 29th an order was received from the Secretary 
of War reciting that Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet, with 
a large amount of treasure (estimated at $6,000,000.00 in 
coin), with a large escort of cavalry, was making his way to 
the southwest, and directing the commanding officer to spare 
neither men nor horses, but to pursue him to the ends of the 
earth if necessary, and to obey no orders except such as 
should come directly from the Secretary of War. Mr, Davis 
and his party, with an escort of 6,000 cavalry, had been 
reported two days before at Yorkville, two days' march in 
advance. By making a wide detour and a rapid march, the 
Division was thrown across his front on his line of march. 
All the commands of the escort had been embraced in the 
terms of surrender of Lee's and Johnson's armies, and con- 
sequently were not in condition to do any more fighting. 



Officers of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 



illPlll^Mi. 





r 



N 



2nd Lt. 
Charles Watson 



•^'"'"tP ''*\ 




Jik J^ 




2nd Lt. 
John Q. H. Cook 



2nd Lt. 
Adoniram J. Cole 



Okkicers of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 




Hospital Steward 
James Cilley 



Hospital Steward 
Hiram C. Luce 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry 41 

When they found further progress disputed by an armed 
force, they broke up into small parties and scattered in dif- 
ferent directions for their homes. Many of these small 
parties reported having Mr. Davis with them, so that accord- 
ing to apparently very reliable authorities Mr. Davis was 
reported in many diflferent places in many different directions 
at the same time. The plan of the pursuers was to occupy 
all the roads running to the west, and all the fords and 
ferries on the rivers, and this was done for a distance of 
probably one hundred and fifty miles from north to south. 
It was while tr\ing to avoid these forces as well as General 
Wilson's cavalry at Macon by a wide detour to the south of 
Macon, that he was captured by the Fourth Michigan Cav- 
alry near Irwinsville. While the Tenth had no part in the 
capture itself, there is no doubt that the close watch they 
kept by scouting parties on the roads, bridges, fords and 
ferries, contributed very largely to the result. The capture, 
however, was not known for several days at General 
Palmer's headquarters, and the Tenth was ordered to move 
to McDonough and guard the road from there to Sandtown. 
At McDonough orders were received to move to the west 
side of the Coosa River in Alabama, and there take up a 
line as had been done in Georgia. At Newnan, May 13th, it 
was learned that the railroad and telegraph lines were 
opened to Atlanta, and a halt was made to get rations and 
forage, the first regular rations that the men had received 
since the issue of March 26th in East Tennessee. While 
waiting for them information was received by telegraph 
from Atlanta that Mr. Davis had been captured, and passed 
through Atlanta for Savannah under good escort. This 
information was at once sent to General Palmer, in the hope 



42 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai,ry 

that it would soon be followed by an order to return to East 
Tennessee, but Division Headquarters were about 100 miles 
away toward the north, and it necessarily took some time to 
reach there, and a long and tiresome march through a 
sparsely settled country, affording scant provender for men 
and horses, was unavoidable. But there is an end to all dis- 
agreeable experiences, and there was an end to this pursuit 
of President Davis, whom we knew to have been captured, 
and the Tenth returned to East Tennessee on the 31st day 
of May, having marched not less than 1,800 miles in the 
enemy's country, without any base of supplies, living on the 
country, except for the few days' rations received from 
Atlanta, for 58 days, counting from the end of the eight 
days for which rations were issued on the 26th of March. 
Much to the disappointment of the men, the regiment was 
not to be mustered out at once. There was a reorganization 
of the Division at Linoir Station. Colonel Trowbridge was 
assigned to the command of the First Brigade, and Major 
Standish to the regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Smith being 
still on staff duty at Headquarters in Knoxville. This as- 
signment continued at Linoir Station and Sweetwater until 
the latter part of August, when the Tenth was ordered to 
Jackson, West Tennessee. Colonel Trowbridge's term of 
enlistment would expire on the 1st of September, and he 
thought as the war was over- it would be but fair for him 
to muster out and thus make possible a promotion in each 
grade. By permission he remained at Knoxville until he 
mustered out on September 1st. On August 24th the regi- 
ment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, left for 
Jackson, West Tennessee. Captain Light had returned, hav- 
ing had great success in recruiting, and the ranks were full 



Ofkicers of the Tenth Mkhicax Cavalr> 




R. Q. M. Sergt. 
Henry M. Cronkite 



History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai^ry 43 

enough to permit promotion and muster in all the grades. 
The regiment remained in West Tennessee until the latter 
part of October, when it was ordered to Jackson, Mich., 
where on November — it was finally mustered out and paid 
ofif. 

In the short space allowed for this general history, it has 
not been practicable to mention in detail all the engagements 
in which detachments of the regiment participated, and only 
the more important ones are selected for special mention. 
The monthly returns of the regiment show that some por- 
tions of it came in contact with the enemy on the following 
occasions : 

At House Mountain, Tenn., Jan., 1864; Bean's Station, 
March 27 and June 14, 1864; Powder Spring Gap, Tenn., 
March 88, 1864; Rheatown, Tenn., April 24, 1864; Jones- 
boro, Tenn., April 25 and Sept. 30, 1864; Johnsonville, 
Tenn., April 25, 1864; Wautauga, Tenn., April 25, 26 and 
Oct. 1 and 2, 1864 ; Dandridge, Tenn., May 19, 1864 ; Green- 
ville, Tenn., May 30, Aug. 3 and 23 and Sept. 4, 1864 ; White 
House, Tenn., May 31, 1864; Morristown, Tenn., June 2, 
Aug. 2 ,Nov. 13, 1864; Rogersville, Tenn., June 15, 1864; 
Kingsport, Tenn., June 16, 1864; Blountsville, June 16, 
1864; Cany Branch, Tenn., June 18, 1864; New Market, 
June 19, 1864; Mooresburg, June 25, 1864; Williams' Ford, 
June 25, 1864; Dutch Bottom, June 28, 1864; Seviersville, 
July 5, 1864 ; Newport, July 8, 1864 ; Mossy Creek, Aug. 18, 
1864 ; Bull's Gap, Aug. 21 and 29, 1864 ; Blue Spring, Aug. 
23, 1864; Flat Creek Bridge, Aug. 24, 1864; Rogersville, 
Aug. 27, 1864; Sweet Water, Sept. 10, 1864; Thorn Hill, 
Sept. 10, 1864; Seviersville, Sept. 18, 1864; Johnson's Sta- 
tion, Oct. 1, 1864; Thorn Hill,Oct. 10, 1864; Chucky Bend, 



44 History of the Tenth Michigan Cavai.rv 

Oct. 10, 1864 ; Newport, Oct. 18, 1864 ; Irish Bottoms, Oct. 
25, 1864; Madisonville, Oct. 30, 1864; Morristown, Nov. 
13, 1864 ; Strawberry Plains, Aug. 24, Nov. 17, 18, 19, 20 
and 21, 1864; Kingsport, Dec. 12, 1864; Bristol, Dec. 14, 
1864; Saltville, Dec. 20, 1864; Chucky Bend, Jan. 10, 1865; 
Brabson's Mills, March 25, 1865 ; Booneville, N. C, March 
27, 1865; Henry C. H., N. C, April 8, 1865; Abbott's 
Creek, N. C, April 10, 1865 ; High Point, N. C, April 10, 
1865; Statesvllle, N. C, April 14, 1865; Newton, N. C, 
April 17, 1865. 

The writer of this short history himself a companion in 
nearly all the hardships, dangers and successes of the Tenth 
Michigan Cavalry, desires to put on record his high appre- 
ciation of the courage, patient endurance and conspicuous 
gallantry by which it established and maintained to the end 
a high reputation. Whether acting on the defensive, as at 
Strawberry Plains, Morristown, McMillan's Ford and Ab- 
bott's Creek, or on the oflfensive, as at Carter's Station, 
Morristown, Blue Springs, Greenville, Bean's Station, Rog- 
ersville, Flat Creek and Henry Court House, it was always 
the same cool, courageous and reliable body of citizen 
soldiers, never seeking to provoke useless or unnecessary 
fighting, and never declining or seeking to avoid in any 
way a fight where fighting was the thing to-be done. It is 
and ever will be a source of profound satisfaction that he 
was permitted to serve with such a manly, resolute, cour- 
ageous and patriotic body of men. He rejoices with them 
in their enviable record of hardships patiently endured, 
dangers bravely met and victories nobly won. 

L. S. TROWBRIDGE, 
Colonel 10th Mich. Cavalrv. 



1H»S>» 



* Iff*.-- ^ '■ 



.«.-!^> 



Total enrollment 1,886 

Killed in action 13 

Died of wounds 12 

Died in confederate prisons 11 

Died of disease 121 

Discharged for disability (wounds or disease) 80 



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Loxingfon 



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MAP 

ShowingTheafre of Operations of 

THE lOTH MIClHG.Ai^ CAMALRY 

IN mvi-C)'). 

Drawn under the personal direction of 

General L.S. TROWBRIDGE, 

by F. C. Le esemann. 



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Spartanburg 



S. C A RV L 1 N A 










Charleston 



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Irwinyille 

where f^esident Davis rras captured. 



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Scale : / /nc/i * JS Miles 



